The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that South Sudan’s worsening hunger crisis could be further aggravated by the combined effects of armed conflict, funding shortages and climate-related shocks linked to El Niño.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations Matthew Hollingworth said conflict, displacement, economic hardship, climate shocks and the crisis in neighbouring Sudan were converging to push millions of people deeper into vulnerability. He said 2.2 million children and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women urgently need nutritional support, while more than one million people could lose food assistance by October.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that warms waters in the Pacific Ocean and can disrupt rainfall and temperatures around the world. In South Sudan, reduced rainfall could further damage already fragile harvests, increase food prices and deepen food insecurity.
South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis has been driven by years of conflict, displacement and economic hardship, with climate shocks adding further pressure. Human Rights Watch has also accused government and opposition forces of obstructing humanitarian assistance and restricting access to some areas.
International humanitarian law requires parties to conflict to allow and facilitate humanitarian relief for civilians in need. With millions facing hunger, aid agencies and UN representatives continue to call on South Sudan to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access.
